Too early to talk of criminal charges, say police...

Graham Beveridge, a 52-year-old spectator marshal, died from chest injuries when he was struck by a wheel from Jacques Villeneuve's BAR. Villeneuve had been launched into the barriers at the Albert Park circuit's fifth turn after running into the back of Ralf Schumacher's Williams.

Senior Sergeant Michael Talbot of the Victoria Police said: "We have already spoken to the drivers [on Sunday] and we know their version of events.

"If the coroner holds an open inquest, he may require them to give evidence. We're treating it in the same way as a motor car collision with a death involved. But it's too early to say if there could be criminal charges laid."

Both cars involved in the accident were impounded on Sunday evening, but investigations are expected to centre on the BAR. The wheel which struck the marshal was ripped off the car when it hit a post supporting the debris fence.

Formula 1 cars have two tethers per wheel which are designed to restrain a wheel in the event of an accident. The tethers must be rated to a breaking strain of 5000kg, but technical experts say this is easily exceeded in a high-speed accident. Estimates put the speed of Villeneuve's impact with the wall at around 150mph.

"At this stage we are releasing the Williams car and we're holding the BAR under the direction of the coroner," said Talbot. "The coroner has directed us at this stage to hold it for a maximum time of six months, but it may be released earlier under his recommendation.

"After that time he will review the situation and decide what's to happen with it - whether to keep it or release it, at which time it will go back to the team."